HEALTH & DIETS

Kosher food is food that meets Jewish dietary laws (Kashrut). Any food can be called kosher food if it adheres to Jewish law. Jewish foods are generally those dishes that are traditionally Jewish. Kreplach, cholent, kugel, latke, and kishka are all traditionally Jewish foods, but if they are not prepared in accordance with kashrut, they will not be kosher food.

• Deer, sheep and goats, for example are all kosher, while pig and rabbit, for example, are not.
• Only certain birds are considered kosher in the United States. This includes chicken, duck, goose, and turkey.
• Lobster lovers might be dismayed to find that for seafood or fish to be kosher, it must have fins and easily removable scales. Shellfish generally, and lobsters, shrimp, and clams, specifically are not kosher. Fish, on the other hand, such as tuna, carp, and herring, are kosher, but only if they are prepared by a kosher fish monger with kosher cutting implements and machines. There's more. In most cases, scales must be present on the fish in order to be purchased by the consumer
• Fish and meat cannot be served together.
• Milk and meat cannot be served together.
• Processed food must be prepared in the presence of a rabbi.
• Poultry and meat must be slaughtered under strict guidelines called "shechita." This means the animals are slaughtered without pain. Only those who are trained and qualified are allowed to slaughter kosher animals. Once the animal is no longer alive, another team of experts will examine the animal to be sure the animal is without illness, abnormalities or anything else that can be considered unsanitary. The lungs in particular must be pure. In addition, all blood, nerves, and most fat must be removed.
• Kosher kitchens must maintain separate sets of utensils, pots, pans, dishes, and anything else that comes in contact with food. In addition, dishes and utensils in a kosher kitchen can't be washed together. If a kitchen has two sinks, it is an ideal setup for a kosher family. If not, separate wash buckets are often used. Dishes and utensils must be dried using separate racks or dishtowels as well.

With Greater Manchester having a vibrant Jewish community in particular in the Prestwich/Whitefield area, there are a number of restaurants around that serve Kosher food, these include:

Ashers Restaurant
5 Kings Road, Prestwich, Manchester, M25 0LE

JS Kosher Restaurant
7 Kings Road, Prestwich, Manchester, M25 0LE

Kosher Antonio's Restaurant
Jewish Cultural Centre, Bury Old Road, Salford, M7 4QY